Anyone ordered a 340i yet?
Discussion
I've been thinking about a new 335i touring for a while, but with the 340i just a couple of months away from build now i'm wondering if being an early adopter of the new B58 engine is a good or bad idea...
The N55 is tried and trusted and any issues are well known now.
Would you bite the bullet and buy a completely new engine? I think the 340i is the first car to get the new B58 engine. Cool to have a new model number, but if the engine turns out to be a dog then i don't want to be left holding the baby when the warranty runs out!
The N55 is tried and trusted and any issues are well known now.
Would you bite the bullet and buy a completely new engine? I think the 340i is the first car to get the new B58 engine. Cool to have a new model number, but if the engine turns out to be a dog then i don't want to be left holding the baby when the warranty runs out!
I would never buy a significantly new model, i.e. a full new chassis or engine as opposed to a facelift.
Then again I'm not fussed about having the latest thing for whatever reason some are. I'd much rather get a good deal on a proven model, or a very good deal on a model soon to be replaced.
New models aren't always better than their predecessors.
Then again I'm not fussed about having the latest thing for whatever reason some are. I'd much rather get a good deal on a proven model, or a very good deal on a model soon to be replaced.
New models aren't always better than their predecessors.
The go for the proven model advice makes a great deal of sense, you could also get some amazing deals if you drop lucky on a run out model. However the 340i may be amazing and blow the old 335i away for performance/emissions etc.
I would wait for some reviews and a test drive and if it does not move the game on much try and get into a 335i, there will be new ones in the dealer network for some time or at least ones with a few miles on them. In fact saw a 2014 335i touring with 5k miles for 33,000 at a BM dealer last week so there is massive saving on the petrol models at the mo.
Could be temped myself soon, this Diesel x drive is doing my head in.
I would wait for some reviews and a test drive and if it does not move the game on much try and get into a 335i, there will be new ones in the dealer network for some time or at least ones with a few miles on them. In fact saw a 2014 335i touring with 5k miles for 33,000 at a BM dealer last week so there is massive saving on the petrol models at the mo.
Could be temped myself soon, this Diesel x drive is doing my head in.
VerySideways said:
I've been thinking about a new 335i touring for a while, but with the 340i just a couple of months away from build now i'm wondering if being an early adopter of the new B58 engine is a good or bad idea...
The N55 is tried and trusted and any issues are well known now.
Would you bite the bullet and buy a completely new engine? I think the 340i is the first car to get the new B58 engine. Cool to have a new model number, but if the engine turns out to be a dog then i don't want to be left holding the baby when the warranty runs out!
I very much doubt the new engine will be a dog but it's not unknown for BMW to have some reliability issues with engines when they're first introduced; for the most part sorted promptly under warranty but potentially irritating if you're affected. I think I'd perhaps wait and see what some of the initial reviews say and make a decision then; I was expecting the 340i to be up around the 340 to 350bhp area but officially at least the rating is "only" around 325bhp so on the face of it not much of a jump forward from the 335i (at least where performance is concerned). The 335i is still a good car and if there's a deal to be done because it's a run-out model it could still be an attractive buy; however, if you fancy something with a a bit more poke - and perhaps a bit more sporting in character - there are also attractive deals available on the S4 Avant (circa 20% off list I believe). Think I'd go for one of those over an F31 335i if I'm honest.....The N55 is tried and trusted and any issues are well known now.
Would you bite the bullet and buy a completely new engine? I think the 340i is the first car to get the new B58 engine. Cool to have a new model number, but if the engine turns out to be a dog then i don't want to be left holding the baby when the warranty runs out!
Sounds like you've all got the same concerns i had.
By the time a test drive of a 340i is available, any remaining nearly new 335i will be subject to 'deals'.
No, not available to spec on the BMW.co.uk website, but i've been offered options sheets by a couple of leasing companies already and the options are different to the 335i (i've checked!).
By the time a test drive of a 340i is available, any remaining nearly new 335i will be subject to 'deals'.
No, not available to spec on the BMW.co.uk website, but i've been offered options sheets by a couple of leasing companies already and the options are different to the 335i (i've checked!).
I wouldn't have any concerns getting the new 40i engine.
I got one of the first 35i's and except for the HPFP issue it was fine. Remember that warranty will cover you for any issues.
I wouldn't touch a new 35i engine with a barge pole now either with the 40i engine being so close to launch.
I got one of the first 35i's and except for the HPFP issue it was fine. Remember that warranty will cover you for any issues.
I wouldn't touch a new 35i engine with a barge pole now either with the 40i engine being so close to launch.
Sheepshanks said:
Osinjak said:
...and the incoming C450 AMG and 362 bhp.
That's not coming to the UK anytime soon - until they re-engineer AWD for RHD C Class and MB have been talking about doing that for years.JNW1 said:
Indeed so! I accept there's more to it than horsepower and straight line performance but for the new 340i to arrive with less power and torque than the outgoing S4 is slightly surprising....
Completely agree, it just seems a bit feeble really. I wish BMW would just build a 3er Touring that properly puts a smile on yer chops.Jobbo said:
Sheepshanks said:
Osinjak said:
...and the incoming C450 AMG and 362 bhp.
That's not coming to the UK anytime soon - until they re-engineer AWD for RHD C Class and MB have been talking about doing that for years.Anyway, even if 2016 is correct, it's a year away and the OP seems to looking now-ish.
Osinjak said:
Completely agree, it just seems a bit feeble really. I wish BMW would just build a 3er Touring that properly puts a smile on yer chops.
To be honest I don't find the F31 as sporting in character as the E91; it's great on motorways and dual carriageways but not a terribly engaging drive on a twisty, undulating, road. I daresay an Alpina B3/D3 would be much better but at F31 335i money I'd be having a close look at an S4 Avant given the deals that are now available.... JNW1 said:
To be honest I don't find the F31 as sporting in character as the E91; it's great on motorways and dual carriageways but not a terribly engaging drive on a twisty, undulating, road. I daresay an Alpina B3/D3 would be much better but at F31 335i money I'd be having a close look at an S4 Avant given the deals that are now available....
Funny you should say that, I feel the same. I've driven a 330d xDrive Touring and whilst it was a nice relaxing drive, it wasn't a whole lot of fun either. I have on occasion really thrown my E91 around (not often mind!) and it really is quite chuckable but the F31 didn't give me the same feeling. This one was with the Adaptive Suspension as well.Osinjak said:
Funny you should say that, I feel the same. I've driven a 330d xDrive Touring and whilst it was a nice relaxing drive, it wasn't a whole lot of fun either. I have on occasion really thrown my E91 around (not often mind!) and it really is quite chuckable but the F31 didn't give me the same feeling. This one was with the Adaptive Suspension as well.
My F31 335d has adaptive suspension and, while it's tidy enough in the handling department if you're not pushing too hard, it definitely feels less agile and chuckable than the E91 which preceded it. In fairness things like general refinement and ride quality are in a different league from the previous model but some of the driver appeal has been lost along the way IMO; great car if you do lots of long runs on motorways but not so good if you enjoy a blast across a more challenging A or B road. From a physical size point of view a Golf R estate is probably closer to an E91 and will probably offer more enjoyment for a keen driver; with the rear seats up I think the carrying capacity is also slightly greater than even an F31 even though it's a smaller, lighter, car..... JNW1 said:
My F31 335d has adaptive suspension and, while it's tidy enough in the handling department if you're not pushing too hard, it definitely feels less agile and chuckable than the E91 which preceded it. In fairness things like general refinement and ride quality are in a different league from the previous model but some of the driver appeal has been lost along the way IMO; great car if you do lots of long runs on motorways but not so good if you enjoy a blast across a more challenging A or B road. From a physical size point of view a Golf R estate is probably closer to an E91 and will probably offer more enjoyment for a keen driver; with the rear seats up I think the carrying capacity is also slightly greater than even an F31 even though it's a smaller, lighter, car.....
On the one I drove it also had 19s as well and I was genuinely stunned at how good the ride was, to the point that I stopped to get out and check the sales chap wasn't telling porkies about it being on 19s. It's a step change in ride quality without a doubt and when I got back in mine I winced as I dropped off the small kerb at the dealers onto the main road, you could feel everything through the M Sport suspension. I do a lot of long continental driving and in many ways your car would be perfect but I can't help feeling that I'd be missing something, something that would give me that smile that I'm after.Osinjak said:
On the one I drove it also had 19s as well and I was genuinely stunned at how good the ride was, to the point that I stopped to get out and check the sales chap wasn't telling porkies about it being on 19s. It's a step change in ride quality without a doubt and when I got back in mine I winced as I dropped off the small kerb at the dealers onto the main road, you could feel everything through the M Sport suspension. I do a lot of long continental driving and in many ways your car would be perfect but I can't help feeling that I'd be missing something, something that would give me that smile that I'm after.
I think you're dead right about the smile factor; my car is very competent and an excellent daily driver but I don't find it engaging or especially fun to drive when the mood takes. As I've said on more than occasion before, quite possibly all the car you'll ever need but unlikely to be all the car you'll ever want; if it's going to be your only car I'd say an S4 Avant or perhaps even a new Golf R estate would probably strike a better balance between doing the daily grind on the one hand and putting a smile on your face when the opportunity arises on the other (all IMHO of course!). Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff